List Only

How does section 8 housing work?

We live in CA. We are looking to rent out our home in the town we live in now. We are curious if section 8 housing is allowed in only certain areas of a town, or if any home can become a section 8 home. Thanks!

Public Comments

1. it doesnt!
2. Most homes can be rented out on Section 8. Contact your local Housing Authority to find out about rental rates, and you will want to pickup an owners package which will detail all of the rules and regulations.
3. section 8 is a very risky program. normally, the caliber of people participating in this program are less than desirable. not to say there aren't decent people who participate in the program. there are. but its a chance you take. read the fine print of the contract you sign before signing. i think once you're in, you can't opt out. meaning you are stuck with the tenants until THEY decide to vacate. they have more rights than you. people say its secure because you get your money without fail......until that tenant reports a "violation" (real or invented) and section 8 stops payment until the "violation" is investigated and corrected. section 8 pays rent only. you are still responsible for water and heat. if the relationship between yourself and the tenant sours, you are at their mercy. imagine your hot water running 24 hours a day because the tenant knows you're responsible for the bill? imagine your windows wide open mid winter and you can't say anything about it? and the court system is very sympathetic to their plight, but not yours. imagine not being able to come near your home because the tenants have an order of protection against you. you have more control over your investment with a regular tenant.
4. Any home can be section 8. Just call up the housing authority and ask for an inspection. They come out, they inspect, they tell you how much rent you are allowed to charge. It is up to you to screen the section 8 applicants. How much of the rental amount they pay and section 8 pays depends on the family you rent to, not your property. Be very careful, evicting a section 8 tenant is close to impossible in CA. They also have the housing authority at their beck and call, they can make your life a living hell, as they completely destroy your property. You are accustomed to seeing them "only in certain areas" because of the low rent and the low maintainance you will see. Most neighbors in middle class neighborhoods would pitch a fit about the mess, rude behaviour, etc.
5. From what i understand any home can be section 8 if it passes inspection. I use section 8 as a single mother of 1. they help with about 85.00 a month. I work fulltime, have been at my job for 9 yrs, I dont drink or do drugs or even party and I feel offended that people assume Im "one of those" on section 8. Not all tenants are this way. In fact the complex where I live is getting bad with crime, drugs and prostitution(was not like that when i moved in). My neighbors are filthy, and loud, and after my contract is up, Im looking for a house. Good Luck